[sdiy] Random Tone Generator redux

[David G. Dixon]

> > If there's anything anyone can think of to add to it feature-wise
> > that would make it a decent module, I'm open to suggestions.
> > (trigger outputs, different waveforms, multiple voices in one
> > package, etc.)
> 
> Output level control, with perhaps some dumb simple waveshaping or
> filtering?

I've given this some hard thought, as I'm organizing my own hand-built
modular from scratch, and I've come to the conclusion that INPUT level
control is the way to go, not OUTPUT level control.  That way, the same
module can supply its full strength output to many destinations and be
attenuated as desired at each without affecting the others.  

I've also come to the conclusion that wavemorphing and filtering are
probably best left to purpose-built modules.  I'm a big fan of little,
1U-wide utility modules for things like mixing, inverting, multiplying, etc.


Hence, my advice (for what it's worth, which probably isn't much!) would be
to build the module just as you envisaged it, and send the output to other
modules for further mashing.

Having said that, how about adding a glide control?  Also, what would it
take to randomize the duration of the tones (within some fixed set of
duration values) as well as the pitch?  Heck, if you threw in random attack
and volume, you'd have a fully automated Messiaen module (a la his famous
"Mode de Valeurs et d'Intensites).  Now, who wouldn't want to have a little
electronic Olivier Messiaen lurking inside his modular?